Claudette Roehl

IMPORTANT VISA AND TRAVEL INFORMATION
FOR AU PAIRS PARTICIPATING IN
THE SECOND YEAR EXTENSION PROGRAM

Extension au pairs may travel to their home country during the second year.

Embassy posts around the world have been informed about the second year extension program for au pair participants:

Extension au pairs must have all necessary documentation and paperwork to renew J-1 visas.

In order to renew the J-1 visa, an extension au pair must bring the proper documentation with her/him to the U.S. embassy in her/his home country.

An extension au pair wishing to travel to her/his home country and to return to the United States must have her/his J-1 visa renewed while at home before attempting to resume participation in the program in the United States. An au pair who does not renew her/his J-1 visa risks not being allowed to reenter the United States to continue on the program.Au pairs and host families should be aware that it can sometimes take six to eight weeks to obtain an appointment to renew a J-1 visa at U.S. embassies around the world. Au pairs must schedule appointments for J-1 visa renewals well in advance of their travel dates as waiting times for appointments vary greatly depending on time of year and demanded at specific U.S. embassy posts. Cultural Care recommends contacting the U.S. embassy no later than six to eight weeks before traveling home. Contact information for U.S. Embassies abroad can be found athttp://usecnbassy.state_gov/.Cultural Care Au Pair is not able to book appointments at the U.S. embassy on the au pair’s behalf and has no ability to affect scheduling appointments at the U.S. embassy in any way.Cultural Care Au Pair cannot guarantee the renewal of a j-1 visa. Although an au pair has been approved by the U.S. Department of State to participate in the extension program, the decision to renew the visa is at the discretion of the consular officer who interviews the au pair.An extension au pair wishing to renew the J-1 visa must bring her/his passport and the original copy of the DS-2019 form renewed by Cultural Care Au Pair at the time of enrollment in the second year extension program. The DS-2019 form will reflect the dates of the au pair’s second year. Cultural Care Au Pair will also provide the au pair with a letter of good standing and a copy of the U.S. Department of State cable regarding the second year extension program.In addition, au pairs will need to complete and bring forms DS 156 and DS 158. Male au pairs have to complete a third form as well; form DS 157. Form DS 156 can be filled out online and then printed. It is available at http://evisaformshttp://state.gov/ . There is a non-refundable fee of USD100 to apply for the second J-1 visa. The fee is paid directly to the embassy and the au pair is responsible for covering this cost.